Ribbon-cutting at Encinitas’ Moonlight Beach

Lots of conveniences…one too many?

Hundreds of Encinitas residents turned out last week for the reopening of Moonlight Beach. The city finished $4.8 million in renovations on June 13.

While the increased sand area, new concession stand, view deck, and restroom/shower facilities got rounds of applause at the ribbing-cutting, Cardiff resident Blaine Adessa was not totally pleased over one aspect of the new facility: he said it is wrong for the city to have pushed for the new concessionaire to offer bicycle rentals.

“We have three bike shops within walking distance of here,” said Adessa. He believes that the city is now competing, through their vendor, with privately run bike shops on Coast Highway 101, such as Ride Cyclery, Nytro Multisport, or Leucadia Cyclery. Other nearby shops in the community, such as the Cardiff Bike Shop, also specialize in the rental business.

“So now we’re encouraging people to drive to the beach, take up our most valuable resource — parking — just to rent a bike to go ride up on Coast Highway,” Adessa questioned.

“It just an ill-advised idea, but I wish them well,” said Adessa, who plans to start a petition drive to oppose the rental of bicycles at Moonlight.